Continuous conveying apparatus



Aug. 8, 1939. H. T. BATTIN 2,168,555

C ONT I NUOUS .C ONVEYING APPARATUS INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Aug. 8, 1939. H, T BA1-Tm 2,168,555

' CONTINUOUS CONVEYING APPARATUS 4 Filed 'Nov'. 2o, 1957 2 sheets-snee; 2

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ATTORNEYS v Patented Aug. s, i939 CONTINUOUS CONVEYING APPARATUS HaroldV T. Battin, Ridgewood, N. J., assigner,l by mesne assignments, to United States Rubber Company, New York, N.

New Jersey Y., a corporation of Application November zo, 1937, sensi No. 175,662

. 8 Claims.

, This invention relates to continuous conveying apparatus, and more particularly to a rotary drum which is adapted to. receive continuous lengths of material and carry them forward heli- 5 cally as the drum rotates.

-The invention is especially useful in vulcaniz.

ing continuous strips or tubes of rubberwithin a chamben the rubber being fed onto the drum and propelled in helices along the drum during the l curing process.

veying successive turns longitudinally forward at,

constant distances apart. The present invention provides a drum, which 25 inl itslnormal position of adjustment, has a generally cylindrical configuration. The drum comprises two intercalated vsystems of slats which revolve about fixed parallel axes which arevpositioned slightly eccentric with respect to each .30 other. The systems of slats reciprocate 'in longi- `tudinal directions parallel to the axes, but with the interleaved slats of one system generally moving in a longitudinal direction opposite to those of the other system. 'A strip or thread of mate- 35 rial is fed onto one end of the drum, and the A drum is rotated, while at the same time the slats alternately reciprocate to translate the material forward in helices to the other end of the drum,

whencel the material may be removed. During 40 this-propulsion helically along the drum as it rotates, the material may be subjected to a treating or vulcanizingprocess.

The distance through which each system of slats reciprocates longitudinally may be varied at l4.5 will. Consequently the apparatus is adjustable for different widths and/or spacings of material,

resulting in e'fcient utilization of the entire surface of the drum.

4The shape of the apparatus is also adjustable,

50 so that it may be changed from a generally'eifective cylindrical conguration to that of a truncated cone. Accordingly, when the diameter of the apparatus at the forward end is adjusted to less than the diameter at the rearward end, the

55 'drum will automatically compensate for an in- ,crease in the length of the material, due to stretching, which may be the result of the treating process.

Similarly, in the case of material to which a stretch is not imparted by' the treating process, this adjustment of the drum will produce a stretch or an increase in length of the material if such .a result is desired, for the diameter of each helix or turn of the material will become successively greater than .that preceding it. Conversely, when the diameter of the orward end of the drum is adjusted to a diame er greater than that of the rearward end, the drum will accommodate, without folding or buckling, a material which shrinks during the treating process.

i certain present preferred embodiment of my invention is'illustratedin the drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a longitudinal cross sectional View of e the apparatus, with the central portion omitted, y and mounted in a vulcanizing tank;

Fig. 2 isa cross sectional view taken along the line 2--2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an alternative form of a detail of the guiding mechanism;

Fig. 4 is an alternative form of a bearing construction.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, a vulcanizing chamber or treating tank I supports brackets 2 and 3 which, respectively, carry bearings 4 and 5 which support a shaft E. Spiders 1 and 8 are keyed to the shaft E which is driven by a sprocket Ill, which, in turn, maybe connected as by a chain to any suitable driving means such as an electric motor (not shown). Carrying lements or slats II are adjustably connected near each of their ends to tlie spiders 1 and 8 by means of eyebolts l2 and I3, which screw into inserts I4 and I5 disposed within the ends of the spider arms and are retained in position by lock nuts IG-and I1. The outer ends I8 and 20 of the eye-bolts l2 and i3 slidably engage blocks 2| and 22 mounted on pivots 23 attached within the slats Il. These slats Il revolving about the center or axis of the shaft 6 comprise one system of carrying elements. Each spider 'l `and 8 carries a series of lugs 24 projecting parallel to the-shaft 6.

Spider arms 25"and 26, having bearings 21 and 428, are mounted, respectively, on the brackets 2 and 3 in fixed eccentric relationship withrespect to the shaft 6, and rotate about a fixed axis 30 to the left of the axis of the shaft 6, as shown in Fig. 2. These spider arms 25 and 26 adjustably carry eye-bolts 3l and 32 which extend into andhold carrying elements or slats 33 in slidable position, in the same manner as the previously de- I v scribed eye-bolts 2 and |3. The slats 33 alternate with the slats as is clearly shown in Fig. 2. The eye-bolts 3| and 32 outwardly terminate, respectively, in eyes 35 and 36 which slidably engage blocks 31 and 36. The blocks 31 and 38 are mounted on pivots 39 attached within the slats 33. The slats 33 comprise the second system of carrying elements and revolve about the axis 30 which is parallel to, and positioned laterally of, th'e axis of the shaft 6. The spider arms 25 and 26 carry projecting lugs'4li, against which the corresponding lugs 24 on spiders 1 and 8 will impinge in driving contact in certain positions.

The reciprocating longitudinal movement of the slats 33 is accomplished and controlled by a non-rotating guiding disc 4| having a track groove 42 in its periphery. The disc 4| is centered about the axis 30 and each of the slats 33 revolving about the ,axis 30 carries at its left en d, as viewed in Fig. 1, a pivoted arm 43 whichextends into the groove 42. The disc 4| is pivotally mountedin the tank by a shaft 44 so that its angle of inclination with respect to the axis 30 may be varied.

Similarly, a non-rotating guiding disc 45 is pivotally mounted at the right side of the apparatus, encircling the bracket 3, and is centered with respect to the axis of the shaft 6. A peripheral track or groove 46 in the disc 45 receives, and controls the longitudinal movements of, arms 41 which are pivoted to the slats H and extend into the groove 46.

Connecting bars 49 and 5U are bolted at one of their ends respectively to the discs 4| and 45. The other end of each of these bars is pivotally mounted on swivel nuts and 52, respectively, which are oppositely threaded. A shaft 53, carrying hand wheels 54 and 55 keyed to it, is mounted Within collars 56 supported by brackets 51 which are supported by the upper portion of the vulcanizing chamber I.

The ends of the shaft 53 are oppositely threaded to engage the threaded swivel nuts 5| and 52 respectively. The shaft 53 is divided and adjustably held rigid by a coupling 59. 'Ihumb screws 63 and 6| adjustably engage the divided portions of the divided shaft 53 so that either or'both portions may be rotated at will, by turning one of the hand wheels and releasing at tleast one of the thumb screws 60 or 6|.

Fig. 3 illustrates a different methodof guiding the arms 43 in the groove 42. 'Ihe groove 42 is.

enlarged near the outer peripheryof the guiding disc.4| to form shoulders 62. A ring 63 is tted around the guiding disc 4| within the groove 4'2 so that it may revolve about the axis 30 as its inner face slides upon the shoulders 62. Holes 64 spaced circumferentially around the ring receive the arms 43A which may'sllde radially within the holes as radial adjustments of the slats 33 are made. Utilization o f the ring 63 eliminates the wear of the arms 43 against the groove 42.

Fig. 4 illustrates an alternative bearing assembly -in which packing or sealing rings 65 cooperate with the bearings 4 and 21, respectively,

to form an oil seal. It is obvious that this oil sealing provision may be applied to all of the bearings shown in Fig. 1.

The two systems of slats and 33 together Vcomprise an effective drum 66.

In operation, the guiding discs 4| and 45 are inclined in opposite directions angularly to the parallel spiders 1, 3 and 25, 26, as shown -by the vdotted lines in Fig. 1. This angular setting may be accomplished at one time by tightening the set screws 60 and 6| to cause the shaft 53 to operate as a unit and then turning one of the hand wheels 54 or 55. Revolution of the hand wheel revolves the screw threads on the shaft 53 to move the swivel nuts 5| and 52 in opposite directions and over the same distance. Movement of the swivel nuts 5| and 52, each carrying, respectively, the connecting bars 49 and 50, varies the angularinclination of the guiding discs 4| and 45. By loosening one of the set screws 60 or 6|, the position of either of the swivel nuts 5| or 52 may be determined separately, depending upon which of the hand wheels 54 or 55 is turned.

Revolution of the sprocket I0 in the direction of the arrow causes movements of the slats around the axis of the shaft 6, as shown in Fig. 2. -As the lugs 24 revolve in the system comprising thevslats they engage and drive the lugs 40 so that the slats 33 revolve about the axis 3l. As is clearly shown in Fig. 2, the axis 30 is eccentric with respect to the axis of the shaft 6. correspondingly, the slats 33 describe a circular path eccentric to the circular path of the slats As the effective drum 66, comprising alternately the slats 33 and revolves, the right or descending material-engaging surface comprises entirely the slats since 'the axis of the shaft 6 is to the right of the axis 30. Similarly, the left orascending material-engaging surface of the drum 66 comprises entirely the slats 33. At the top and bottom of the drum, material may be simultaneously engaged by both slats 33 and Reference to Figs. 1 and 2 together shows the longitudinal reciprocating movement of the intercalated slats 33 and |I. As a slat 33 travels in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 2 upwardly from the bottom to the top of the drum 66, its arm 43 travels in the inclined plane of the groove 42 so that upon arrival at the top of the drum 66 the slat has been moved longitudinally to the left, as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 1. Considering the descent of the same slat 33 from top to bottom the longitudinal movement during that half'revolution takes place to the right. Consequently, during their material-engaging half revolution, that is when ascending, the slats 33 are propelled longitudinally forward to the left, whereas theyrecede to the right during the half revolution in which they do not constitute the.

outer engaging surface of the effective drum.

Considering now a complete revolution of a slat beginning at the bottom of the drum 66, it will be noted that the guiding disc 45 is set at an angle opposite in direction to that of the disc 4| so that its lower edge is forward, that is, to the left, as viewed in Fig. 1. As a slat travels upwardly it is moved to the right by the engagevment of the arm 41 within the sloping groove 46 which is inclined upwardly to the right. Its forward motion to the left occurs on its descent, that is, when it constitutes one of the materialengaging surfaces of the drum 66.

As a strip or tube of material is fed on to the upper right-hand surface of the drum, a short lengthof the moving strip will be engaged for a downward half-revolution by the slats which move it to the left a distance determined by the inclination of the disc 45 from the vertical. The next upward half revolution of the length of the strip is accomplished by the slats 33, which carry the point helically forward to the left over a distance depending on the inclination of the guidingl disc 4|.A The progress of the material is similarly accomplished along a helical path throughout its length by its alternate engagement with present preferred embodiment of the invention,v it is to be understood that the invention mayv the slats comprising the different systems. When the material has reached the left end of the drum 66 it is removed. i n

When narrow strips or threads are to be conveyed by the drum the inclination of the guid- 4ing discs is adjusted to a minimumA in order to conserve space. If rubber hose or other material having a greater width is supplied to the drum, the hand wheels 54 and 55 are adjusted to increase the angularity of the guide discs. Accordingly, precise economy of space along the drum may be attained.,

During the vulcanizing, or other treating process, of material supplied in long lengths,

considera-ble stretching or shrinking may occur. In order to compensate for stretching,`the eyebolts 3I and I2 are adjusted radially outwardly with respect to their retaining spider arms, and the eye-bolts 32 and I3 may be tightened inwardly. 'I'he effective drum then assumes a vgenerally Vconical shape, or, if the material has pressure contact with the slats. When the di'- ameter of the drum is greater at one end than at the other, marking of the material is also reduced to a minimum because the successive series of slats'will engage the material at different points, thus distributing the pressure contact along the material.

The conveying apparatus of the present invention has a variety of uses not'restricted to the vulcanization of tubes, vhose, thread, and strips of rubber within a vulcanizing chamber. When it is used for vulcanization, the vulcanizing chamber may be open or closed, depending upon the heat medium or other factors. Water, gas, steam, or air may be used tocomplete the vulcanization. The apparatus mayA also be used in conjunction with one or a succession of baths or other chemical treatin-g processes where continuous lengths of thread, cord, yarn or other material are to be acted upon as they are con-` tinuously conveyed along the apparatus.

The variety of sizes, configurations, and compositions of material which the present drum will accommodate make its adjustable features of especial value. As explained heretofore, the apparatus may be adjusted 'to hold `automatically the maximum number of helices of a particular material that can be collected on it, notwithstanding the width or size of the strip material. Also it may be adjusted to compensate automatically for increase or decrease of length of the material during the operation to which the vma terial is subjected. It is obvious that the ap# paratus may rotate in either direction.

While I have shown and described a certain otherwise be embodied Within the spirit ofthe invention and the scope of the appended claims. Having thus `described my invention, what I claim and desire to protect by Letters- Patent is: A1. Conveying apparatus for a continuous length of material, comprising a plurality of-interleaved systems of elongated carrying elements mounted for non-symmetrical movement about a common shaft, supporting means therefor comprising hubs for each system and means adjustably connecting the hubs and elements whereby the elements of the diierent systemsy engage the convolutions of material enclosing all the elements at different portions of each convolution, a common shaft for the hubs, inclined non-rotating guides for` imparting relative lon= gitudinal' reciprocating movement between the elements of each system and the shaft, connecting means pivotally connected to each element of a system and travelling in one of said guides, pivotal mountings for the guides, and lmeans for moving the guides angularly on their mountings for determining the amount of such relative longitudinal movement, whereby the material is progressively moved towards one end' of the apparatus during the rotation of the eley.

ments. l

2. Conveying apparatus for continuous lengths of material, vcomprising a plurality of interleaved systems of elongated carrying elements mounted for non-symmetrical movement about a common shaft, supporting means therefor comprising hubs for each system and means adjustably connecting the hubs and elements whereby the elements of the different systems engage the convolutions of material enclosing all the elements at different portions of each convolution, an arm pivoted to each element, a common shaft extending through the hubs, an inclined non-rotating guide engaging said arms of each system of elements for relative longitudinal vreciprocating movement between the elements and the shaft, and means for independently determining the amount of such relative movement produced4 by each guide.' whereby the, material is progressively moved towards one end of the apparatus during the rotation of the elements.

3. Conveying apparatus comprising a plurality of interleaved systems of elongated carrying elements mounted for non-symmetrical movement about a common shaft, supporting means therefor comprising hubs for each system and means adjustably connecting the hubs and elements whereby the elements vof the different systems may yengage convolutions of materialv enclosing all the elements at different portions of leach convolution, a common lshaft extending through thev hubs, inclinedv nonerotating guides encircling said shaft at the opposite ends of said systems,

Ameans for slidably connecting one system of elements to each ofA the guides, a pivotal mounting for each guide for turning the associated .guide angularly with respect to said shaft, -and means for independentlydetermining the angular mvementpf each guide for determining the amount of relative movement between the elements and the shaft, whereby thematerial is .progressively moved towards one end of the apparatus during the rotation of the elements.

, 4.v Conveying apparatus comprising a plurality of'interleaved systems of elongated carrying eleyments mounted for non-symmetrical movement about a common shaft, supporting means therefor comprising hubs for each system and arms said shaft at the opposite ends of said systems, means for slidably connecting one system of elements to each of the guides, a pivotal mounting for each guide for turning the associated guide angularly with respect to said shaft and means for independently or jointly angularly inclining each guide for determining the amount of relative movement between the elements and the shaft, whereby the material is progressively moved towards one end of the apparatus during the rotation of the elements.

5. In a. drum for supporting and conveying continuous material, a plurality of systems of interleaved slats, each slat having a pivotally connected arm, each system revolving about a fixed axis parallel and eccentric to that of another system and comprising a material engaging surface of the drum during apart of its revolution, separate reciprocating means comprising an -inclined guide track to receive said arms of a system for imparting a longitudinally forward movement to said system of slats during itsmaterial engagingportion of a cycle, a pivotal mounting for said guide track, and means for varying the inclination of the guide track to control the amplitude of the longitudinal reciprocation of said system.

6. In a drum for supporting and conveying continuous material, a plurality of systems of interleaved slats, each slat having a pivotally connected arm, each system revolving about a fixed axis parallel and accentric to that of another system and comprising a material engaging surface of the drum during a part of its revolution, separate reciprocating means comprising an inclined non-rotating guide track-to receive said arms for imparting a longitudinally forward movement to each system of slats during its material engaging portion of a cycle, and means comprising eye-bolts for varying the distance of each end of each slat from its axis so that the general contour of the drum may be altered.

7. In a drum for conveying continuous material, a plurality of systems of interleaved sla-ts, an arm pivoted to each slat, each of said systems revolving about a fixed axis parallel to that of another system and comprising a material engaging surface of the drum during a part of its revolution, and independent reciprocating means comprising an inclined guide track engaging the arms extending from the slats in one of said systems for imparting a longitudinal movement to said system of slats.

8. In a drum for conveying continuous material, a plurality of systems of interleaved slats, an arm pivoted to each slat, each of said systems revolving about a fixed axis parallel to that of another system and comprising a material engaging surface of the drum during a part of its revolution, independent means for imparting the desired longitudinal reciprocating movement to each system of slats, each of said means comprisingv an lIinclined non-rotating guide track disposed around the axes and engaging said arms during their revolution, a pivotal mounting for said guide track; and means for varying the inclination of each guide track relative to said parallel axes to control the amplitude offthe longitudinal reciprocation of each system.

HAROLD T. BA'I'IIN. 

